There is nothing like driving off the lot in a new car. It looks and smells clean, which makes most people very excited and content. However, as the days go by, that clean look and smell starts to gradually fade away. The kids leave crayons, food, dirt and even mud on the seats and floors. There’s dog and cat hair all over the car too. But you can’t put all of the blame on the kids. There are also ugly coffee and makeup stains on the front seat upholstery. How did those get there?
Yes, your car needs a good cleaning every now and then, but you don’t have the time to do it on your own. You’ve researched a lot of car detailing services. You realize that an auto detailing company should perform the following basic services when you book an appointment:
- Wash and wax the exterior
- Vacuum and polish the interior
- Wash all windows and mirrors
- Wash the exterior trim and tires
You also realize that a basic detailing job typically takes about 2 to 4 hours. However, you don’t understand why there are so many different prices listed for car detailing. Prices can range anywhere from $65 to $800 for basic detailing (some of those diesel trucks are huge!). Full service which adds on things such as paint care, engine bay cleaning, trunk detailing and dent removal can increase the cost to more than $1000. Why are there such differences in car detailing prices? Hopefully, the following info can answer your question:
Vehicle Size
The size of the vehicle factors into the cost of car detailing. Expect to pay about $50 to $125 for a regular sized car. Trucks and sports utility vehicles will cost about $75 to $150. Also note that this is for basic detailing. It does not include upgrades.
Auto Detailers
There are different types of auto detailers to choose from. For example, there are auto detailing chains that can be found in just about every metropolitan area. They offer an assembly line type of detailing that is done quickly in an hour or less. Also, they might not offer some of the more elaborate types of auto detailing that are available. But basic auto detailing should not be a problem. Depending on the day of the week, you might be able to get a special of discount for certain services.
On the flip side, there are independent shops that have professional detailers who are trained and certified workers to perform auto detailing tasks. You can expect to pay more for these types of services because these workers attended trade school to become professional detailers. Also, independent shops offer upgrades such as paint chip repairs and finish corrections, which cost more.
Products and Equipment
Many different products and equipment types are used such as polishes, cleaners, shampoos, vacuums, compressors and waxes to detail a car. Depending on the type of vehicle or owner preference, many of these are costly. For example, someone could own an exotic, vintage or luxury car and request that only organic products are used during the detail job. However, you might just want to Scotch guard the seats of your Chevy so that your children’s coke stains are no longer a problem. But depending on the location and auto detailer, these kinds of requests are usually upgrades.
Special Services
Sometimes you may need special services. For instance, odor removal, pet hair removal or steam cleaning will usually cost more because they are considered to be upgrades. Depending on the auto detailer, they may not be a part of a basic auto detail package.
In addition, there are other services that auto detailing companies offer, but they will cost you. For instance, some companies or owners will come to your location. They will detail your car in your garage, on the driveway or even in the parking lot of your office building. However, be advised that this little added convenience will increase your total bill.
Discounts
As stated earlier, some auto detailing companies like to offer discounts, specials and deals to their customers. Discounts for being long time customers are very common. Also, companies are willing to offer special pricing if they detail more than one car for you. But it is usually very easy to find an auto detail company that offers a special of the week on basic services.
All in all, auto detailing is a wonderful way to get that new car look and smell again. There are so many different options when it comes to basic auto detailing, which accounts for the price differences. Understand that these differences are because of things such the car size, the auto detailer, special services and discounts. It is also because of the types of products and equipment that are used. But ask for a price list if you get confused. Understand what each company offers before you opt for auto detailing.
Bio
KJ’s Superstores has helped make traveling in the Intermountain West a little bit easier with their many locations. Get a car wash and gas up at one of their locations in Idaho Falls, Nampa, Elko, or Logan.